Gem Comp160

Gem Comp160

Three Classic Revisions, One Plug-in

Overloud Comp160 is a revolutionary emulation of three iconic revisions of the legendary 160 VCA compressor, faithfully capturing their distinct tones, responses, and character. 

  • VU - The original revision, delivering a rich, punchy analog character with the unmistakable feel that made the 160 a studio staple.
  • XT - Warmer and more harmonically dense, with enhanced low-frequency presence and a fuller bottom end.
  • A - A more modern and transparent evolution, featuring a slightly faster response and tighter control.

Like all plug-ins in the Gem series, Comp 160 expands the capabilities of the original units with powerful modern features:

  • Built-in Mid-Side Processing
  • Built-in Parallel Compression
  • User-controllable harmonic generation amount
  • LF sensitivity
  • User-selectable Ultra Oversampling mode
  • Multilevel undo-redo
  • A/B Comparison
  • Scribble Strips: take notes anywhere on the plugin panel
  • Meter Calibration: calibrate the VU meters at 4 different sensitivities

Comp 160 combines the unmistakable punch of a classic VCA compressor with the flexibility and precision required by modern productions.

Discover The 3 Flavors 

VU

This is an emulation of the original processor, with VU-style metering and a classic control layout. It was the father of the VCA compressors, with a punchy and aggressive sound signature and a rich analog character.

 

XT 

The XT revision offers a smoother, more versatile tone compared to the VU. It delivers a richer low end and a broad harmonic structure, thanks to the optional transformer installed in the reference model. It also features the Overeasy control, which enables the soft-knee compression curve.
 

A 

The A revision is a newer machine, with a cleaner sound and wider frequency response. It has a modern vibe and "transparent" sound. Its faster attack time is useful to shape the sharp transients.


Beyond The Original Hardware

 Comp 160 extends the features of the original hardware and combines the flexibility of the digital world with the character of the analog processing.

Built-In MS Matrix
The built-in Mid-Side matrix doubles the plugin and allows you to process the center and the stereo image separately, with different settings and no external complex routing.

Internal Adjustments
You can tweak a Low Cut filter on the Sidechain to reduce the compressor's sensitivity to low frequencies. The amount of harmonic generation can be controlled as well.

 Built-In Parallel Compression

Parallel compression is a powerful mixing technique that helps improve the overall impact of the track while leaving the transients intact by mixing the dry and the processed signals.

System Requirements

macOS: 

  • macOS 10.9 and above 
  • Intel i3 1.4GHz and above 
  • 4GB of RAM
  • Available as AudioUnit, VST, VST3, and AAX plug-ins, as well as a standalone application
  • 64-bit and Apple Silicon are supported natively

Windows: 

  • Windows 7 and above
  • Intel i3 1.4GHz and above 
  • 4GB of RAM
  • Available VST, VST3, and AAX plug-ins, as well as a standalone application
  • 32bit and 64bit are natively supported except AAX32